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Message begins:
 
May I ask for your help in getting over a hurdle in Bishop Museum's new
planetarium and science center construction project in Honolulu, Hawaii?   The
issue is zoning.
 
We have been "grandfathered" into our residential neighborhood for the
past 105 years.  Now, in order to build our new 20+ meter dome and related
buildings, we must re-zone our Honolulu site.  Our city zoning officials,
while supportive of our cause, have a limited number of zoning types to
choose from, here in Hawaii.  They find that the only type on their books
that currently fits museum operations is "Commercial."
 
However..... this new zoning designation would mean an additional 250
parking spaces would have to be created just to operate TODAY, let alone
expand services!   Obviously, we are looking for precedents in other
communities which have determined that a museum should operate under
different regulations than a shopping mall.
 
To help us find a solution, we and our city officials, would like to know
what YOUR zoning is.  What is your designation?  What types of activities
are allowed in your zone?   If you are operating under a variance or
special use permit, what are its terms?  And most specifically, what are
your parking requirements per square foot of gross building space, and is
there a different formula used when calculating parking for theater,
exhibit, office, storage, or other types of building space?
 
Any and all bits of information, faxes of regulations, words of
encouragement, etc. will be greatly appreciated.   Please respond directly
to me via the addresses and numbers listed below.
 
Thank you!
 
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Ken Miller                              [log in to unmask]
Asst. Dir., Public Programs
Bishop Museum                           (808) 848-4102  voice
P.O. Box 19,000-A                       (808) 848-7897  fax
1525 Bernice St.
Honolulu, HI  96817
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